My dog died. How do I overcome fear of another pet dying too?

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your loved one. I doubt this was from bringing in the new dog. There are a lot of other things that could have happened and it is most likely coincidence that it happened shortly after you brought in the new puppy. I wish I had a definitive answer for you, but without an autopsy there is no way to know for sure. Please know you are in my thoughts.

I am so sorry for your loss. I know it's hard. I don't think you should worry yourself too much about this with your other dog. I know it's hard not to think about it but there is nothing you can do about it. There is no way to predict if she will get it or not. You will make yourself sick with worry and it is out of your control. The best thing you can do is be hypervigilant with clinical signs. If you notice any, then have her examined right away. If you can diagnose it early there will be a better chance at survival. The first noticeable signs are exercise intolerance, increased respiratory rate, coughing and wheezing. Often the slight change in exercise tolerance is not recognized by the owner and it is usually attributed to aging. There was a study done where it was found that some owners noticed mild clinical signs up to a year before respiratory distress was seen. They just attributed it to aging and didn't have their vet examine the dog. The key is early intervention. I would recommend yearly chest x-rays for her if you are really worried, especially as she gets older. Once she is over 8 years old, I would say to do the x-rays every 6 months. There are no statistics as to how many Westies may be afflicted. The genetic component of the disease is still being worked out. I can tell you that the average age of onset of this disease is 9 years of age. Life expectancy after diagnosis (if caught early) is about 18 months after diagnosis. I know it is difficult but please try not to worry too much. I have been a vet for 15 years and have been in the veterinary field a total of 20 years and I have only seen this once in a Westie.

I am so sorry you lost Ned, but you did the right thing. Meningitis happens in dogs just as it happens in children and adults and sometimes it is so severe that the affected people or dogs die. It happens. It is terrible, but it is not something you could have avoided. We have no vaccine for dog meningitis, so you would not have been able to protect him with a vaccine. He could have picked up the bug anywhere. There is no way you can keep a dog in a sterile bubble and protect him from everything. It would not be a good life for the dog either. You did everything possible to give him a good life, and you took care of him when he was ill. You went all out and you gave him your love. You did not let him down. He had far more love and care than most dogs in this world. Grieve for him and remember him. Some day another dog will find you and will deserve you. Thank you for being such nice doggie parents.

I'm very sorry for your loss. Losing a pet is never easy, but it does get better with time. A lot of people do get the same sort of dog they had before, because that is what they are used to, and what they like. Some people wait a while, and some prefer to get a new dog right away. Either way is personal preference, however you must bear in mind that the new dog will be different to Scooby. In the sense that you can't expect it to suddenly fill the void that Scooby has left. I'm sure your new dog will in time become a great friend to you, and eventually the pain of your loss will diminish. I just don't want you to get your hopes up that a new dog will suddenly make everything better. I would advise you to give the new dog a different name though, you don't need to be reminded of Scooby every time you call the new dog, it would be unfair to you and the new dog to constantly be compared. I wish you all the best and hope you find a lovely dog.

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Sometimes it can be helpful to wait a little while and deal with your grief prior to getting another dog. You will know when you are ready. In the meantime, the following link has information on some pet loss support resources you may find helpful. https://www.rainbowsbridge.com/grief_support_center/pet_loss_resources/petloss_hot_lines.htm Take care, and once again, my condolences for your loss.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. I am sure it is very difficult to be going through this. Dogs are emotional and can become distressed / sad when a loved one passes away. Unfortunately, it just takes time. There are some things you can try to help ease the stress for Sadie. I would recommend the below products and see if these help. I would also take her out more for walks and socialize her and consider taking her to the dog park as well to interact with other dogs. I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. 1. Adaptil collar 2. NaturVet Quiet Moments Calm Chews with Melatonin 3. Plenty of toys to play with

I'm so sorry you had to say goodbye to Odis! He was a handsome boy. It's never easy to have to say goodbye to a beloved pet, but it did sound like he was quite sick. By letting him go, you took away his pain and discomfort, which is a great gift. He's at peace now, no long suffering, and you should know you did the right thing for him. I'm sure he loved you, and try to remember all the good times you had with it. It's so painful now, but over time, the pain will ease. You will always love him and miss him, but keep the memories of him close with you. I hope this helps.